Israel Refuses to Withdraw Troops from Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has stated that Israeli forces will not withdraw from security zones established in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza. The stance is to be maintained until further notice.

“The IDF will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza until further notice, to protect the residents and communities of Israel from jihadist terrorists,” Katz said, according to the defence ministry.

Speaking at an event honouring soldiers killed during the 2006 Lebanon war, Katz further declared, “We will not withdraw from the security zones.” He also reiterated previous warnings to Iran, stating that the Islamic Republic would be struck with “full force” if it attacked Israel over its operations in Lebanon.

The comments come just days after Israel and Lebanon signed a US-sponsored framework agreement aimed at paving the way for peace between the two nations and disarming the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have repeatedly rejected a full withdrawal of troops from southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces continue to clash with Hezbollah fighters. They maintain that any pullout will only occur once Hezbollah is completely disarmed throughout Lebanon.